Government

If you are not already registered to vote, Virginians must apply to register to vote (or update their registration name and current address) no later than October 14 in order to vote in the upcoming Nov. 4 elections.
If you are currently registered to vote, you do not need to re-register unless you have made a change to your name or address, in which case you need to notify the Registrar in writing.

County Administrator Mark Reeter announced, Monday evening, that Gregg B. Zody has been hired as the county’s new director of community development. Zody replaces Tim Wilson, who left to take a position with South Boston in June. Zody will take over the job on Nov. 3.

County staff and members of the board of supervisors bid farewell to Deputy County Administrator Frank Rogers at a reception this week. Rogers leaves next week to take a job as Campbell County’s county administrator.

At 24, Beckham Stanley is the youngest town council candidate on the ballot. A Bedford native, Stanley graduated from Hampden-Sidney College, near Farmville, with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. He works in Bedford as an insurance agent at Holdren, Eubank and Stanley and does landscaping on a part-time basis.

Why is he running?
“It is very important for Bedford to elect a person who has the time and the energy to put into the job,” he said. “I have both.”

Walt King, a civics and PE teacher at Bedford Middle School, is seeking a seat on Bedford Town Council.

King was born in Virginia Beach, but has lived in Bedford for 29 years. A job move brought his father here when King was 14. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1988 and earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Radford University and a master’s degree in education from Liberty University. He has spent his entire 15-year teaching career in Bedford County Public Schools.

“Several people asked me about it,” said Bruce Johannessen, explaining why he’s running for Bedford Town Council.
He also believes a citizen owes his community some time and effort.
“I think serving on Council is part of doing something for the community,” he said.
This is Johannessen’s first bid for elective office, but he’s no stranger to government. He’s worked for the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) for 43 years.

“Several people asked me about it,” said Bruce Johannessen, explaining why he’s running for Bedford Town Council.
He also believes a citizen owes his community some time and effort.
“I think serving on Council is part of doing something for the community,” he said.
This is Johannessen’s first bid for elective office, but he’s no stranger to government. He’s worked for the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) for 43 years.

Robert Carson was first elected to Bedford Town Council in May, 2013 and, like other incumbents, must run for reelection in an election triggered by the annexation of territory in the county as part of the reversion agreement.

“I put a whole lot of thought into it,” Carson said of his decision to run for reelection.
Carson said he didn’t want the seat if he felt he couldn’t accomplish anything.

Tim Black, a Bedford native, is seeking a seat on Bedford Town Council. This is his first bid for elective office.

Black graduated from Liberty High School in 1983 and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance. He’s worked at Union First Market Bank as its real estate lender and senior vice president for 17 years. Black works from the Forest office and handles commercial income-producing property, rental property and developments.